Are you a homeowner looking for a compact, single-stage, gas snow thrower? The Husqvarna ST131 has a 208cc engine, a 21-inch working width and a rubber auger. It can clear snow up to 8-inches deep from hard, flat surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways.
Is the Husqvarna ST131 a self-propelled snow blower?
The Husqvarna ST131 (number 961830003) does not have powered wheels that can move it forward. Instead, it has auger drive, which refers to the slight pull that the auger exerts when it cuts into the snow or makes contact with the pavement. Be that as it may, you will be doing most of the pushing and pulling. However, do not force the snow blower through the snow, but rather let the snow blower cut into the snow and then move it forward. If you keep forcing the auger into the snow, then it might damage the blades or belt drive.
What material is used for the auger?
The Husqvarna ST131 has a rubber auger that cleans right down to the pavement on hard surfaces without causing damage. The auger cuts the snow and then throws it out of the chute.
The snow chute cannot be controlled remotely from behind the handlebars, so you have to turn it by hand. A few people have complained that the chute is a little loose and might sometimes move around if the snow is heavy.
Does the engine require an oil and gas mixture?
The Husqvarna ST131 does not have a 2-stroke engine. It has a 4-stroke gasoline engine, hence the oil and gas are never mixed together. The engine oil goes into the oil pan, while the gasoline goes into the 0.37 gal (US) fuel tank.
Does it have an electric starter?
The Husqvarna ST131 has an electric starter that requires an electrical connection. You plug an outdoor extension cord into a 110V outlet and then connect it to the electric starter on the snow thrower. Press the button to start the engine. There is no need to worry about maintaining a battery because the snow thrower does not have a battery.
Some owners do not mind using the recoil pull starter, while others love using the electric starter. You have to provide your own extension cord because it is not included with the snow thrower.
Does the Husqvarna ST131 have a headlight?
The Husqvarna ST131 does not have a headlight. The next model, the ST151, has a headlight. However, it costs about $50 more than the ST131. In light of that, some customers did not think it was worth paying the extra money just for the addition of a small headlight.
You might also read my review of the Husqvarna ST224 two-stage gas snow blower. It has LED headlights that can illuminate the snow when working in dark conditions.
What snow depth can it handle?
The ST131 can be applied to newly fallen snow that is up to 8 inches deep. You should only use it for fresh snow because it does not have the strength to remove old, tightly packed ice and snow.
Will its muffler fall off?
It seems like the Husqvarna ST131 has a problem when it comes to its muffler. A number of people have complained that the muffler fell off after using the snow thrower only a few times. The muffler simply did not have enough support.
It seems like Husqvarna has added a support brace to the muffler for ST131 models that were manufactured after 2017. Hopefully this will fix the problem. Otherwise, you should probably avoid the ST131 due to this issue with the broken muffler.
Husqvarna ST131: Verdict
The ST131 seems like an affordable single-stage gas snow blower. It works well for fresh snow of around 4 to 6 inches deep. If you live in the north where the snow is deeper, then you should probably get a Husqvarna two-stage gas snow blower, such as the ST224P (buy on Amazon).
The ST131 has a 4-stroke engine, so you do have to worry about mixing oil and gas. The engine provides enough power for the auger to throw the snow out of the chute. The electric starter is a welcome addition, yet the pull starter works fine.
The Husqvarna ST131 snow thrower should run great as long as the muffler has been properly braced. Nevertheless, I caution you to do further research before deciding to buy the ST131 single stage gas snow thrower.
Please note that the Husqvarna ST131 single-stage gas snow thrower seems to be unavailable at the moment. I also cannot find this snow blower on the Husqvarna website.
Also read: Yard Machines 21-Inch 123cc Single-Stage Gas Snow Thrower Review